B. McNairn-Leader Staff
MORRISBURG–The first weekend under new head coach, Mark Evans, and the Morrisburg Junior B Lions hung in for an overtime-shoot-out win against the Char-Lan Rebels here on Sunday afternoon.
Lions management announced late last week that they had made a coaching change that saw Evans move into the head coach position, replacing Dan Frawley. Also no longer behind the Lions bench is assistant coach Andrew Scott, who gave up his position due to work commitments.
That leaves Evans with the task of putting together a coaching team, which Lions General Manager Kevin Casselman says he is now busy doing.
“Clearly with only one win in 14 games, things weren’t happening,” explained Casselman of the coaching change. “We felt we needed a change of spirit, and it is easier to change one or two faces than it is to change 25. That’s the nature of the game, and we appreciate the time and commitment Dan put in.”
Casselman says that Sunday’s win was a dose of good medicine for the team. “While we have played well, we haven’t been able to get a win. So Sunday’s, win was very upbeat, very emotional for the boys. This year’s kids are staying positive. They know they have played well. It’s different when you have been blown out of every game, but we haven’t.”
Evans steps into the Lions head coach position with a solid resume. He originally came to the Cornwall area to play hockey with the Cornwall Royals under coach Orval Tessier. He played for three years, two as a defenceman before Tessier moved him to a forward position.
In 1991, he coached in the Seaway Valley Rapids Association at the Bantam Level. Then in 92-93 he became assistant coach of the Colts, that being the year they moved from Massena to Cornwall. He became the Colts head coach for the 1994-95 season and took them to the CJHL Championship and was voted the league’s Coach of the Year.
After a three year hiatus, he returned to the game, like many dads, to coach his sons in minor hockey. He became familiar to the Lions last year when son Eric was on the roster. This year both Eric and Curtis are Lions.
We put together two really good games on the weekend, says Casselman. Saturday, against Akwesasne, we gave up the third goal with just under three minutes left. It was anyone’s game.
The third goal for the Wolves broke a 2-2 tie and gave them a 3-2 win in their home barn, Saturday.
Hiio Herne opened the scoring for the Wolves late in the first period. The 1-0 lead lasted until 15:09 of the second period when Dallas Blacksmith got the Lions on board to even it.
Then just over three minutes later Christian Leger gave the Lions a 2-1 advantage.
Three minutes into the third period, Oakley Thomas put the puck past Lions goaltender John Gilmer to again even it up.
At 15:51 Sean David struck to give the Wolves the 3-2 win.
Sunday on Morrisburg ice, Brandon Chilton was in the Lions net for the 6-5 shoot out win.
The Lions led 1-0 after the first period and the game was tied 2-2 after two. It was a high flying third period that saw three goals traded to close the game tied at 5-5. Chilton and Boileau, in net for the Rebels, kept the overtime scoreless and set the stage for the shoot out.
Scoring for the Lions in regulation time were Dallas Blacksmith with two goals, and Taylor Eamon, Isaac Brownlee and Peter Ketcheson with singles. Assists went to Brandon Mullin, Ketcheson, Justin Lefevbre (2), Liam Morrow (2), Kieran Devine and Chris Pearson.
Coming up this weekend the Lions are at home, Saturday night November 23, against the Athens Aeros. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
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